The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1887-12-30

do. Cecie will show you all about it darling
so don't trouble your pretty little head"
81 thought you liked me just as / am
Philip. What is wrong in the city that
is proper and pretty in the country, will
you tell me?"
Certainly, Mona. Your loose flowing
hair and short dresses, and your frank,
familiar ways, all so perfectly charming
| just here, would occasion remark and nm
pleasant criticism in the city. | want my
little girl to be as fashionable and as
stylish as-as-wcll as Jessie Mabin."
"Ah! She is your ideal, is she?''
Much more to the same purpose mingled
with kisses and mpliments, but nothing
| in it deceived the wounded woman's heart.
| For Mona, though not fashionable
woman, was 4 true woman, nevertheless,
and understood not only what had been
said, bnt also all that had been left to be
| inferred
1t was not possible for him to leave his
business entirely, but il had been arranged
ti''tb piJt ~ W 10 W pay itW
days visit to the springs, and in the inter
walls be refreshed and comforted by regular
| and plentiful supplies of letters.
The supply was pretty fair the first
week, but fell off gradually afterward,
until several days passed without any
token of Nona's faith and memory. Still,
he did not feel much troubled. He thought
that he quite understood Nona's reasons,
and at any rate he relied with implicit
confidence ON the effect which Philip
Hayes, in his own proper person, could
not fail TO make.
The confidence did not agree with
events. He arrived at the springs and
found Mona out driving with Jack Christie
"a young man whom he particularly dis
liked for his pretentious manner. lie was
on the piazza when they returned, and he
was certain Mona saw him, though she
kept her eyes on Jacks face, and pretend
ed the greatest interest in his foolish con-
versation; for of two things Philip was
certain first, that her interest was pre-
tended, and second. that Jacks CONVEX
sation was foolish.
Then he, unaecountably, and, as he very
well knew, nnreasonably, chilled by the
greeting Of the splendidly dressed Mona,
who calmly and nonchalantly extended
the tips of her gloved fingers to him. draw
ing out the while pretty little assurance
of being $50 glad to see Mr.. Hayes" with
the information that Cecile has been OK
pecting him since the early morning train.
"Cecle.' he said reproachfnlly, 'and
you too, Nona?'
ooh, no, Mr.. Hayes. 1t is too exhaust
ing to expect anything. One at time is
sufficient
time. For one distressing half hour he
tried to assume his rights as his betrothed,
but she kept Jack Christie persistently be-
tween them; and so, angry and hurt, he
sought his sister, Cecle
"Cecile, he said, what change there
is in Nonai What is the cause?"
"a wonderful change! never saw
girl improve so rapidly. ! suppose yon
are the cause. Do you know that she is
the belle? Jack Christie and Ed Forsyth
and half dozen others are raving about
her, Positively they are Phil"
every kind of them, but
'Well, so it is, you know. Very many
families, and all of that kind of thing. you
know. Upon my word, brother, believe
Mona will make sensation next winter.
Mamma is quite satisfied now
But Philip was not. Not at all. Far
from it. That night at the hop Mona
looked lovely and grand enough for a
picturesque style, which Jack Christie
audibly declared to be inst the thing"
yards Of satin and lace making track Of
glory behind her, and gold and jewels
flashing from her head, her throat and her
wrists.
All in vain, however, Philip pleaded for
dance Mona had been engaged for ev-
cry set since breakfast, and she reminded
him rather malieionsly of the necessity of
conforming to the usages of society. So
he had the satisfaction of watching the
social triumph of the future Mrs. Hayes
Three miserable days of continual dis
appointment, and then Philip determined
to 90 back to New York and see Mona no
more until she returned to her country
home.
He babe his mother and Cccile good-by,
and gave the regulation kiss to Mona, no
received it with perfect plaeidity and
many kind wishes for his pleasant journey;
for, as he was to leave very early in the
morning, the lad les did not expect to see
him again before his departure.
AS they passed ont of the parlors, Mona
turned moment, and a flash of the old
tenderness made her face beautiful; her
lips parted, and she hesitated moment as
il she wonld speak, but finally passed ON
and away.
Poor Philip He took his cigar and sat
down ON the dark, silent balcony, miser-
able enough. But in about half an hour a
timid little figure stole through the de-
serted room, and W ithont warning laid her
hand upon his shoulder. He turned rap
idly, all the passion. which had grown To
deeper intensity in his suffering, bursting